What is this swap and how does it work?You will fill out the following form about yourself and your likes and preferences, and send it in to me. You will receive someone else’s form in return, in which you will repaint and/or customize an animal figure for that person. You will also receive an animal figure in return from another STS member.

The person you are painting an animal for is not painting an animal for you. In other words, you will receive an animal from a different person than you are painting for. If you have any questions for the person you are painting for, they will need to be sent to me so the surprise is not ruined.

There is no experience necessary to participate in this swap. If this is your first repaint or your hundredth, we encourage you to participate! The whole point of this swap is to have fun, it doesn’t matter if you’re good or not!

Please note, there is no monetary limit or required amount, so please don’t send more than you can afford. There is no need to feel like you need to keep up with everyone else, this is for fun!!

Be aware that with any event there is the possibility of someone not coming through on their end of the deal. We hope that everyone here is honest and will follow through with the swap, but in the worst case I will try my best to pair you up with someone else so you do get a repainted animal in return. Members who do not follow through will not be allowed to participate in further programs or events and will be reported to the STS moderation team.

If you have never sent an international package before, I encourage you to give it a try. It’s very simple to do and if you need help the post office will be able to help you. You might have to fill out a little form but that’s all. Please research the cost of shipping internationally before signing up. Check out the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] !

Before sending in your form, please make sure to read through this post and if you have any questions PM me or post in this thread. Someone else may have the same question as you do!

Guidelines:• Must have active STS membership for at least ONE YEAR• Must have at least 10 posts AND have at least 3 posts within the past 30 days prior to this post• Have fun and be creative!• Any brand or “unknown brand” animal may be used for the swap, but please use only figures in the standard “major brand” scale. No super tiny or very large animals allowed, but if you would like to do a super tiny or super large animal in addition to the regular swap animal, feel free to do so!• Any customization is allowed, just please keep it appropriate. The idea is to be creative!• Please be aware that if you are under 18, a written letter of parental permission may be required.• YOU MAY NOT BACK OUT of the swap after partners have already been assigned. Members who do not follow through will not be allowed to participate in further programs or events and will be reported to the STS moderation team.

You may start sending in your forms by PM. You have until January 4th, 2018 to send in your form. No exceptions! Partners will be assigned on or around January 5th, 2018. I work a busy schedule so please be patient and bear with me! The deadline to mail your package is February 12th! If for any reason you cannot ship by this date, please let me know as soon as possible.

Please title your PM to me, “STS Swap Registration.”Your Name:STS Username:Mailing Address:Country:Current e-mail address:Please choose - domestic or international shipping:What is your favorite animal? Or no preference?:What is your favorite major brand? Or no preference?:Favorite color?:Anything else you want your partner to know?:Are you willing to be a backup person if someone doesn’t follow through?:

Have fun and I can’t wait to see all the talent STSrs have! You are encouraged to post progress pictures of your repainted animal in this thread. Just don’t reveal your partner’s name! We don’t want to ruin the surprise.

Once boxes start getting sent out, we will have a “STS Swap Thank-You Thread” in the customs additions forum, so please let us know when your parcel is shipped!

So glad to see another swap around! LeeAnn, thank you so much for making this possible! I'm extremely busy with school and my personal life at the moment, but I'll definitely make time for this Will fill in the form right away!

I started scultping yesterday. I don't have much experience, but all I could repaint are bugs and butterflies LOL. So I am experimenting with Sculpey clay...if it all works out, someone will be getting a species that I do not think has been made in toy form before...fingers crossed LOL

Ana

Country/State : come from Poland now live in The NetherlandsAge : 31Joined : 2010-04-01Posts : 9872

Things sound exciting already. While I don't think I'll be doing any sculptural adjustments this time, maybe I will repaint my first horse...

Quote :

So I am experimenting with Sculpey clay...if it all works out, someone will be getting a species that I do not think has been made in toy form before...fingers crossed LOL

If I may suggest- I'd try "Premo!" (sold by Sculpey), rather than their main formula- once baked it is sturdier and more flexible, so better for thin or small parts. When I first tried it, it made a big difference and a less stressful experience.

Things sound exciting already. While I don't think I'll be doing any sculptural adjustments this time, maybe I will repaint my first horse...

Quote :

So I am experimenting with Sculpey clay...if it all works out, someone will be getting a species that I do not think has been made in toy form before...fingers crossed LOL

If I may suggest- I'd try "Premo!" (sold by Sculpey), rather than their main formula- once baked it is sturdier and more flexible, so better for thin or small parts. When I first tried it, it made a big difference and a less stressful experience.

Thanks Andy; I'll consider that for future plans. This animal is somewhat robust (it's not an arthropod) so I think it will be fine. But if it fails I will revisit Premo LOL.

It's the Andean cock-of-the-rock, Rupicola peruvianus. Now, I am not a painter, and certianly not a sculptor. This is the very first bird I ever made. I chose it because with the rather robust form and solid, bold colors even I should be able to manage one hahaha. I also chose this species because it might be a 'unique' species in figure form(?). The final product (last three images) has a satin varnish, so there are glares of light (not areas lacking paint haha).

The recipient of this figure does have a preference for mammals, but I would be even worse at mammals; besides this person is also interested in birds so I hope it will be well received.

Now I just hope hope hope it makes it safely. For one I hope I packed it ok, and then I actually had a rather unpleasant experience with the person at the post office which has me worrying more . But fingers crossed it lands at its new home ok!!

It will be coming in two pieces, and there is a small peg on the bottom of the bird to insert onto its rock/feet.

It is amazing to see Blaine involved on it! I didn't even know that figures were supposed to be presented before the recipient receive it. That's a wonderful and vibrantly colored unusual species. I have no memory of ever reading about it. I only remember listening to a radio podcast about the Guianan species. I enjoy the fact that this bird, like many others, include some insects in its diet. It will be very well feeded before being sent.

It is amazing to see Blaine involved on it! I didn't even know that figures were supposed to be presented before the recipient receive it. That's a wonderful and vibrantly colored unusual species. I have no memory of ever reading about it. I only remember listening to a radio podcast about the Guianan species. I enjoy the fact that this bird, like many others, include some insects in its diet. It will be very well feeded before being sent.

LeAnn said we can post pics now, maybe I should have just hinted? LOL. Well, it's out now! :)

It is amazing to see Blaine involved on it! I didn't even know that figures were supposed to be presented before the recipient receive it. That's a wonderful and vibrantly colored unusual species. I have no memory of ever reading about it. I only remember listening to a radio podcast about the Guianan species. I enjoy the fact that this bird, like many others, include some insects in its diet. It will be very well feeded before being sent.

Everyone is welcome to post photos either before or after it arrives, whichever they decide they want to do Hints or full photos are fine.

It is amazing to see Blaine involved on it! I didn't even know that figures were supposed to be presented before the recipient receive it. That's a wonderful and vibrantly colored unusual species. I have no memory of ever reading about it. I only remember listening to a radio podcast about the Guianan species. I enjoy the fact that this bird, like many others, include some insects in its diet. It will be very well feeded before being sent.

Everyone is welcome to post photos either before or after it arrives, whichever they decide they want to do Hints or full photos are fine.

LeeAnn is the swap boss. I was just the ignorant here. By the way, talking about ignorance, is there a feminine word for boss?

I'm really happy I found time to work on my swap between all my responsibilities. But I finished it and took it to the post office yesterday! I really hope my swap partner will receive my repaint early this week

Here is a quick look at the painting in process. The model is the Safari Abaco Barb mare, one of my favorite horse sculptures at this scale. I'm painting it as a blue roan feral horse, using "Nokota" horses as reference (I thought this would be fitting for the swap). I used a cooler gray base coat, then warmer black, burnt sienna wash, and whitish gray blended over the top to try and get a silvery roan effect. The bottom photo is essentially the final coat color for the body, except without the darker "corn marks".